Cover and drain attachment for sprinkler-heads.



PATBNTED JAN. 14,1908.

E. P. GARDELL' COVER AND DRAIN ATTACHMENT POE SPRINKLER HEADS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-21. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. sywantoz .Ezzyenaf. Cards/Z.

WH zoom atto'cmzq PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908.

E. P. GARDELL.

TTAGHMENT FOR SPRINKLER HE LIOATION FILED AUG. 21. 1907;

ADS.

COVER AND DRAIN A APP 2 sums-sum 2.

1914;" ease: I

was NORRIS rzrsns ca, WASHINGTON, a. a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COVER AND DRAIN ATTACHMENT FOR SPRINKLER-HEADS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1908.

Application filed August 21. 1907. Serial No. 389.556.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE F. CARDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cover and Drain Attachments for Sprinkler-Heads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cover or receptacle and drain attachment for sprinkler heads forming part of the fire-extinguishing systems of mercantile establishments, etc., the object in view being to provide a device applicable to the water supply pipe carrying the sprinkler head to inclose the latter and catch and conduct the water flowing therefrom to a suitable safe point of discharge, whereby damage to the merchandise and fixtures of the establishment may be prevented when the Water is accidentally turned on, or the system is being tested, or during other possible contingencies when the discharge of the water from the sprinkler head is not required for the purpose of extinguishing a flame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily and economically manufactured, easily and quickly applied and removed, conveniently stored when not in use, adapted when in use to effectually prevent escape of the water, and designed to be applied to sprinkler heads located at a greater or less elevation.

IVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device partly open as in the operation of applying the same to the conducting pipe. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, illustrat ing its mode of application to the pipe. Fig. 3 is a view of the device mounted upon the pipe to inclose the sprinkler head, the pipe appearing in broken lines.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a pole or handle by which the device may be transported and manipulated, which pole or handle carries at its upper end a bracket or supporting frame or plate 2, upon which is mounted a sectional casing 3 adapted to surround the water conducting pipe and inclose the sprinkler head carried thereby.

As illustrated, the casing comprises a of its sides to a three-sided or yoked frame 6, said edges projecting below the frame in the form of joint-closing flaps 7. The ends of the frame terminate in bracket pieces 8 fastened 'to the sides of the bracket 2, by which the said upper casing section 5 is rigidly or immovably fastened in position relative to the lower casing section 4. The body of the section 5 maybe of a fabric stiff enoughto maintain its bag form, ormay be reinforced with this object in view in any preferred manner.

The lower section 4 of the casing comprises a bag-like body portion generally similar in form and material to the body of the upper section and. connected at its upper edges in a corresponding manner to a frame 9, the side arms of which are pivotally mounted upon the bracket 2 or bracket pieces 8 of the frame 6 as indicated at 10. In order to hold the section 4 close up against the lower edge of the section 5, at least one of the side arms of the frame 9 is provided with an extension or crank portion 11 which is connected with the bracket 2 by a contractile spring 12, which throws the frame 9 upwardly and thereby normally maintains the casing in a closed condition.

In order to provide against leakage be tween the sections of the casing at the rear, the back portions of the fabric bodies of the two sections are preferably made integral, which effect may be obtained by weaving the bodies as a whole in the form of a substantially closed bag, which is then slitted at the front and sides to divide them and produce their meeting edges. The frame 9 guards the mouth of the lower section 4 andis adapted to inclose the frame 6 of the section 5 and to receive the flaps 7 whereby a water tightjoint between the closed sections is obtained. The section 4 is provided at its lower end with an outlet tube 13 for the discharge of the water therefrom, which tube is connected with the pole or handlel by a suitable connecting band or strap 14. The side arms of the frames 6 and 9 are reversely semi-circularly curved, as at 15, to cooperate when the casing is closed to provide passages for the supply pipe 16 on which the sprinkler head is mounted, and preferably the side edges of the mouths of the two casing sections are divided or slit vertically, as at 17, producing flaps between the portions 15 to fold about and against the pipe to effect a sealing connection between the latter and the portions of the casing through which said pipe passes. From the front cross-piece of the frame 9 projects a lip or contact piece 18 adapted to be brought into contact with the bottom of the pipe 16 to allow the casing section 4. to be opened against the resistance of the spring 12 to permit the casing to be applied to the pipe, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the operation of applying the casing, the device is elevated and lifted by means of the pole or handle 1 until the lip 18 is brought in contact with the pipe 16, when upward pressure is exerted to swing the section 4 downward, whereupon the casing will be opened and may be slipped laterally upon the pipe and adjusted in position thereon as shown in Fig. 2 to inclose the sprinkler head, not shown, so that the water issuing therefrom will be prevented from. escaping and will be retained by the casing and discharged through the outlet tube 13. To this tube may be connected a hose pipe leading to a sink, basin, drain, or out through a window or door-way, so that the water may be discharged without damage to the stock, machinery or fixtures of the establishment.

It will be apparent from the foregoing de scription that the invention provides a'simple, efficient and inexpensive construction of device for the purpose described by which the water from a sprinkler head may be discharged in a harmless manner, thus obviatin the necessity of closing the controlling va ves to cut off the flow of water, and allowing flushing of the system and tests to be made without liability of injury to the contents of the store or office room. By proper manipulation, the casing may be disconnected from the pipe, thus producing an article which may be readily and conveniently handled.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination with a supply pipe carrying a sprinkler head, a casing adapted to be applied to said pipe to inclose the sprinkler head, said casing being provided with an outlet for the water discharging from the head.

2. In combination with a supply pipe carrying a sprinkler head, a casing adapted to be applied to said pipe to inclose the head,

adapted to surround a pipe and sprinkler head, an outlet connected with one of the sections, and means for normally maintaining the casing in closed condition.

5. A device of the class described comprising a manipulating handle, a casing carried thereby and composed of upper and lower sections, the latter being relatively movable to the former and provided with an outlet, said sections being adapted to inclose a pipe and sprinkler head carried thereby, means acting upon the lower section to normally hold it closed, and the contact upon said section to engage a pipe whereby said section may be opened.

6. A device of the class described comprising a manipulating handle, a casing carried thereby and composed of upper and lower sections, the lower section being pivotally mounted for movement toward and from the upper section, the meeting edges of said sections being constructed for the passage of a pipe, and the lower section being provided with a discharge nozzle, and means connecting the lower section with the manipulating handle for normally holding said section closed.

7. A device of the character described comprising a manipulating handle, a casing comprising a stationary and pivoted sections having stiffening frames at their meeting edges, sides of the frames being curved to form pipe assages, a discharge nozzle leading from the ower section, a spring connecting the lower section with the handle for normally holding said section closed, and a projection upon the frame of said section to engage a pipe, whereby the section may be forced openi'or the application of the casing to the pipe.

In testimony whereof, I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE F. CARDELL.

Witnesses:

GEORGE F. WEBSTER, ADDIE P. BLODGETT. 

